Paul Thorpe dropping truth bombs!

I mean he isn't wrong. They are taking the piss out of the customer and will only sell to individuals who they deem worthy. Worthiness being measured in how many of your local currency (or a liquid and expendable equivalent thereof) you are likely to have access to and more importantly how much you are likely to leave in their shop.

It's true, I have experienced it myself. I don't look wealthy, refuse to give out much information about myself (like what I do for a living, my background, my other watches) and I am treated like dogshit by most Rolex staff. Despite not doing anything illegal (not even close) I actually have a fairly good reason for it but aside from that, it is none of their business. Yet they HAVE TO KNOW all that.

And it shows in how they treat me. I handed over my OP Date to be serviced I had to pay a massive deposit (almost double what the service is likely to cost) and give the go ahead for all work they deem necessary, because that's how they usually do it "to save time". Truth is, they almost certainly thought I wouldn't have enough money for the service amd was to low of a creature to be concerned with "collector issues" like originality of cosmetic parts and such. Obviously when they think this, then they won't sell you a new watch either. I asked twice for a 36mm watch, they told me to dream of something else. Fair enough I guess.

To be clear, this isn't nice but from a business perspective I would do exactly the same. Initially I thought people might be put off by these practices but evidently they are not. I am not either to be honest. In a weird and sadistic way I kind of respect that approach. For years you could squeeze them left right and centre for a discount, now they are "returning the favour". And "getting the call" has become a signature phrase... people seem to almost enjoy the new reality. They will keep it up for as long as possible because their exclusivity image and blue chip status seems to be only getting better.

And yes, I have heard the argument that young people aren't introduced to brand and it will be a problem. I think that is nonsense, young people buy them anyway, just from grey... the quality is undeniable and as long as that remains the crown will shine ✨️ 👑 ✨️ ... I think 😂

Your reply just highlights the cognitive dissonance that people are prepared to endure at the hands of the authorised dealers - who are the real problem here. But Rolex runs on a precarious position that hides behind opaque Swiss banking and business laws. It's why they need the authorised dealers in other countries - one wrong step outside Switzerland and they will find themselves being pressed to disclose their more information about their business. That's something that might land them in trouble.

So we're stuck with exploitative AD's and Rolex is unwilling and unable to come out of its ivory tower to solve any of the problems. I don't think the public will endure this kind of treatment for much longer.

Well, yes. I am willing to put up with that because at the end of the day it's about an hour of sucking it up every year in return for wearing what I consider to be the best watches in its class, at least with respect to the things I value, by a considerable margin.

I have three old Omega as well, staff is lovely in the shop I go to most frequently. But hand on heart I'd rather pay 9000 for a modern Datejust (and one can have them for less), even if it comes with a slap in the face every month, rather than 7000 for a modern Aqua Terra, a few branded accessories, and a nice drink accompanied by a smile. Why, when objectively the difference isn't exactly huge? Well, for one I am anal about the details and modern Omega are a little clunky and the point lugs are far too sharp, to me that's worth 2000 and to top it off I have to put up with all kinds of crap every day, the Rolex store is just a drop in the bucket. With other brands it's other stuff but there is always something (except 2000s Ebel, man those are great watches, but the current line-up isn't as good anymore). Overall it sure seems like a small price to pay when the alternative is that I'd be reminded how I settled for less whenever I check the time. Evidently there are many people who are willing to put up with it, if there weren't then everybody would buy something else, Rolex revenue would drop by 40% and in 12 months time the display cases would be full. But it didn't. Now some of course are not taking any crap from the AD and I respect that too. In fact, I wish I wasn't as anal and could settle for less...

I don't enjoy it but it is what it is. When I started buying watches it was the other way around, discounts and smiles at all the shops and yet the cusomers would squeeze the staff at the AD for every last drop of discount. One side always takes advantage of the other, that will never change. It will also go back to how it was eventually... people will get bored of watches and move on. I think Rolex isn't solving the problem because there is no problem to be solved without creating another one. They will increase production, as they should, but it will take time to shift back entirely and that's necessary.

I mean think about it, what should they do? Make the watches easily available and the "investment" community will be upset, if they are not available the enthusiasts will be upset and if there is limited supply but distributed in a "fair" way (by means of auctions or lottery) then the high-rollers will be upset that they can't get their 38th watch this year (or pay more in case of auctions) despite having bought 50000 worth of overpriced jewlery in the last 18 months, someone will always be upset. Implementing any change will have to be a gradual process rather than a shock. It's like taking toys from a child, take them all and it will cry but take one every day and it will be left wondering where they went 😅

Paul has basically made the same video once a week for 5 years and it was why I stopped watching after the second or third vid. I do not know if he is playing up for the few clicks he gets, or if he is just really bad at business. If he did not have Rolex ADs to pick on and sensationalizing robberies, his channel would go unnoticed.

HWF wants Rolex to be the #1 luxury brand on the planet and by most rankings are. That comes with exclusivity. They do not want everyone with $10K free on a credit card to own their product. Like Ferrari, Porsche, Hermes, every major art gallery, etc, it is about the best clients getting the best products.

You may be adding too much weight to what Rolex is doing behind the scenes. As a private company they do not have to worry about making as many as they can pump out like other brands and watering down the name. They have a profit margin they want to hit and go after it. Short term focus on profits is a sure fire way to kill a legacy brand. This is not a Swiss thing either, SO MANY private companies even in the US do not have to disclose squat. I work for one of the biggest. They are not obligated to disclose anything by basic state filings or regulatory notices depending on industry. I would argue HWF discloses more than the average private US company.

Back to them; They control the production, but they do not control the distribution. Many businesses operate this way. IE, just every single brand in the US. Distribution squarely rests on individual ADs. As @Puffin said, if I were an AD I cannot say I would do a thing different, in fact I would probably double down and be more transparent about it. My best clients would get the best inventory, period. #1 rule in business, you take care of the clients that take care of you.

To the extent possible I divorce my feelings about the product in my hand from the marketing or sales practices of the maker whether it be Helm, Timefactors or Rolex, all of which can be notoriously hard to deal with. I've owned many Rolex watches and because they were all preowned whatever games the AD's are playing is reserved for those willing to play them. Paul Thorpe has carved out a primarily alarmist, doom and gloom niche on YT specializing in content that highlights robberies, thefts, knife attacks, inept cops and uncaring watchmakers. Unfortunately fear and negativity sells and Thorpe has possibly made more money peddling it than he ever made selling watches while trying to sound sincere that it's the viewers best interest that motivates him to make that type of dark content. As always do you. Your wrist, your rules.